Dozens of Syrians and Lebanese crossed the border into Syrian territory in conjunction with increased Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon. No independent agency has documented the nationality or number of refugees.

Enab Baladi’s correspondent in Homs reported today, Tuesday, September 24, that about 100 people entered illegally via the Syrian-Lebanese border, heading to Homs from Wadi Khaled and Lebanese villages near al-Qusayr.

A number of refugees arrived in the Homs governorate, all of whom were Syrians, while no Lebanese refugees were recorded arriving in the area, according to the correspondent.

The French news agency AFP quoted an unnamed Syrian security source as saying that hundreds of people had crossed the border from Lebanon into Syria amidst the Israeli airstrikes, without specifying the refugees’ nationality.

Enab Baladi contacted a smuggler active on the Syrian-Lebanese border who said that crossing activity is vigorous and faces no obstacles on either side of the border.

According to the smuggler, it costs $60 per person to cross the border from Lebanese territory to Homs, Syria, for those without residency in Lebanon, and $30 for those with residency.

Facilitated border crossing procedures

According to the local Al-Watan newspaper, the Jdeidet Yabous crossing between Lebanon and Syria saw about 2,000 Lebanese citizens entering Syria by noon today, with a similar number awaiting completed procedures.

The newspaper added that about 3,000 Syrian citizens have returned to Syria from Lebanon so far.

Sham FM, a local radio station, reported that Damascus Governor Ahmed Ibrahim Khalil inspected the movement and transaction processes at the Jdeidet Yabous border crossing, emphasizing the importance of streamlining border crossing procedures for arrivals.

The governor’s visit was in response to the “large numbers” of arrivals at the border, according to the local radio station.

Homs governorate has directed a working team to take “rapid response” measures, providing necessary supplies and boosting medical points at the border crossings.

Separately, the radio cited a security source at the same crossing, saying that large numbers of Syrians and Lebanese have been moving towards the Syrian border since this morning.

Syria Red Crescent involvement

The Syrian Red Crescent stated that it responded to the Lebanese and Syrian families arriving in Syria from Lebanon.

In a Facebook post today, Tuesday, it said volunteers deployed at the border crossings between the two countries in the governorates of Homs, Tartus, and Rural Damascus to provide medical, first aid, and relief services.

It noted that its teams were spread out to meet the basic needs of the arrivals and ensure their safe arrival at their destinations.

The organization expressed its readiness to help those affected and its commitment to alleviating their humanitarian suffering.

Following escalation in Lebanon

Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon continued throughout the night until morning, targeting cities and villages in southern Lebanon and Baalbek.

According to the latest statistics released by the Lebanese Ministry of Health today, the number of deaths and injuries due to Israeli bombing in Lebanon has reached 558 dead and 1,835 injured.

On the Israeli side of the border, Hezbollah rockets have not ceased. The Times of Israel reported that Hezbollah launched rockets at the cities of Haifa, Afula, Nazareth, and several northern Israeli towns.

Meanwhile, the Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Manar TV reported that the group fired rockets at Israeli military bases and airports early this morning.

The attacks also targeted an explosives factory in the Zichron area, 60 kilometers from the border, for the first time.

Following Hezbollah’s rocket fire into Israel, the latter halted educational activities in northern regions.

The Israeli military released a video claiming to show the targeting of a “terrorist cell” that fired towards Afula and the valleys. The attack targeted the rocket-launching platforms.